The standard of interviewees was very high, and reflective of the calibre of student that is coming through Agriculture and Agricultural Science
The winners of two Agricultural Science Association (ASA)/ Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) travel bursaries have been announced. Both have plans to travel abroad to do farm work placements.
The winner of the ASA/WIT Travel bursary in association with Irish Farmers Journal and Seedtech was third year BSc (Hons) Agricultural Science student James Waters from Maugherow, Co Sligo.
The winner of the ASA/WIT Travel bursary in association with Irish Farmers Journal and Glanbia was second year BSc in Agriculture student Ailish Osborne from Ballinamona, Kilkea, Castledermot, Co Kildare.
Dr Siobhán Walsh, work placement co-ordinator, and lecturer at WIT said: “Thanks to our sponsors, we are delighted to be able to offer students travel bursaries again this year. The standard of applications was extremely high and I would like to congratulate James and Ailish on winning the bursaries. Forty students from WIT will start their placements in Scotland, America, Australia and New Zealand in early January and I wish them all the best.”
John O’Connor, Teagasc Kildalton, is involved in organising work placements for all WIT ag and ag science students, said: “This a great opportunity for our students to gain farm placement abroad. They get to see different farming systems and practices and it really enhances their understanding of agriculture at an international level.”
“The standard of interviewees this year was once again very high and this is reflective of the calibre of student that is coming through both the Agriculture and Agricultural Science Programmes in WIT, reflecting the great work done in the Institute. “The Irish Farmers Journal are delighted to be involved with this initiative once again this year,” said Anthony Jordan from the Irish Farmer’s Journal.
Rob O’Keeffe, Marketing Manager – Business, Glanbia said: “Glanbia are delighted to continue to support the WIT Ag student travel bursary again in 2018. Well done to all the students for taking the time to prepare in such a professional manner and apply for the very competitive process. Congrats also to WIT on the continued success and development of their Agriculture and Ag. Science programmes. We wish all of students the very best of luck in their continued studies and travels.”
Denise Stuart, Seedtech said: “As a company who partners with organisations from all over the world to bring technology advancements to the Irish Arable seed sector, we place a high value on students obtaining exposure to international markets. Seedtech is once again delighted to support this great initiative, and believe it will enable the WIT Agricultural Science students involved to gain meaningful career and life experiences, while developing an global perspective.”
Ailish Osborne, a past pupil of St Leos College in Carlow, says: “I am delighted to be chosen for this wonderful award that was made available to my classmates and I to travel overseas for work placement. This opportunity is giving me the chance to travel to New Zealand and experience the work and management involved in operating large-scale farm businesses. I would like to thank the Irish Farmers Journal and Glanbia for the kind sponsorship of this very generous award.
When Ailish graduates from her course at WIT, she hopes to work in the Agri-food sector and continue to nurture her love of farming.
James Waters, a past pupil of Grange Post Primary secondary school said: “I am honoured to be chosen for this excellent award that was offered to students in Agricultural Science who are traveling abroad to complete their work placement. It has made taking part in this trip a lot easier. While there I am eager to learn about the hard work that goes into running a large scale farm in such an efficient manner. I would like to take this opportunity to thanks the Irish Farmers Journal, Glanbia, Seedtech and the Agricultural Science Association for sponsoring this award.”
In the future he hopes to travel abroad to do more Agricultural based traveling and work placement.
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